Regional Economic Educator
& Leadership Awards
The Regional Economic Educator & Leadership (REEL) Awards honors outstanding teachers across Florida that deliver personal finance and economic education in their classrooms each day. In partnership with four of our affiliate Centers for Economic and Financial Education – the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Florida Atlantic University and Miami Dade College – REEL takes a closer look, at a local level, at a teacher’s achievements, leadership, and commitment to economic and financial education. These factors will determine the nominations, and after careful review, our REEL teachers.
2024 REEL AWARDS
The REEL Awards honor outstanding teachers across Florida who deliver personal finance and economic education in their classrooms each day. Their dedication as advocates for these critical subjects is appreciated and is being recognized with the following prizes:
On-Site Event/Award Ceremony For All Winners
$200 Check Per Teacher
A Leadership Recognition Certificate
Charles C. Harper Award (one teacher chosen) $1,000 check and free admission into the 2024 National CEE Conference
Program Advisor Award (one teacher chosen) $500 check
We are so grateful for our winners hard work to bring economics, personal finance, entrepreneurship and free enterprise education to life of their your students. We admire their creativity and appreciate the opportunity to celebrate them.
Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year
Honoring one outstanding K-12 educator that is seen as an advocate for economic and personal finance education and who seamlessly integrates it into their coursework. Named for Charlie Harper, longtime director for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Miami, the award provides a $1,000 stipend for the winning teacher.
(Photo: 2024 Winner: Matthew Bunch MAST Academy, Miami Dade County, Charles C. Harper)
Recognizing one K-12 educator who has implemented one of the FCEE’s programs or resources in their classroom over the last school year.
This award provides a $500 stipend for the winning teacher.
(Photo: Professor Neil Schreiber from FSCJ & 2024 FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
Janika Brice, Jean Ribault High School, Duval County)
FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
CONGRATULATIONS 2024 WINNERS
Mary Fredericks, Brevard
Michael Bolin, Brevard
Darren Weiss, Broward
David Ghenassia, Broward
Eneida Alvarez, Broward
Kecia Chambers, Broward
Michael Mauro, Broward
Robert Gofus, Broward
Bob Wilson, Clay
Cindy Wingate, Clay
Nicholas Ferguson, Clay
Alexis Goodman, Duval
Andi Petit-Perin, Duval
Dominique Sanders, Duval
Ja'Keshia Brown, Duval
Janika Brice, Duval
Karen Moore, Duval
Laura Russell, Duval
Linete Sanders, Duval
Sha'Rhonda Walker, Duval
Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year
Matthew Bunch
MAST Academy, Miami Dade County
FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
Janika Brice
Jean Ribault High School, Duval County
Javier Villar, Escambia
Simona Hulubescu, Florida Virtual School
Bernie Hopper, Florida Virtual School
Anne Radomski, Hillsborough
Asfia Mairaj, Hillsborough
Christy Gupta, Hillsborough
Denise Kanner, Hillsborough
Glenn Geigler, Hillsborough
Henry Leng, Hillsborough
Kenneth Gilreath, Hillsborough
Laura Von Staden, Hillsborough
Magda Mixon, Hillsborough
Mason Phillips, Hillsborough
Patricia Williams, Hillsborough
Sarah Randles, Hillsborough
Sharron Cruz, Hillsborough
Amparo Rojo, Miami-Dade
Deanna Rodriguez, Miami-Dade
Ivette Leyva, Miami-Dade
Jose Miranda, Miami-Dade
Keith Astuto, Miami-Dade
Lourdes Ambas, Miami-Dade
Maurice Rojo, Miami-Dade
Ruth Astuto, Miami-Dade
S. Ralph Supplice, Miami-Dade
Valerie Rojo, Miami-Dade
Fidelis Makunike, Nassau
Shondra Wilkerson, Orange
Richard Holleybyrd, Osceola
Shannon Dennison, Osceola
Antoinishe Sands, Palm Beach
Brendan Verdecchia, Palm Beach
Chris Deragon, Palm Beach
Dorothea Ward, Palm Beach
Mark Risisky, Palm Beach
Melanie Lee, Palm Beach
Robert Frackelton, Palm Beach
Angelique Diaz, Pasco
Marisa Leonard, St. Johns
How are the REEL Teachers picked?
Unlike previous awards ceremonies, most of the REEL Teachers will be chosen by their local Centers
Each Center will determine eligibility within their region – this varies from region to region
Criteria could include workshop attendance, FCEE program participation, school or district leadership, awards and recognition
No projects will be required or accepted for this year’s programs
What are the REEL Awards?
The REEL Awards program will be individually hosted at each of the three participating Centers for Economic and Financial Education in partnership with local sponsors, the Federal Reserve, and the FCEE
REEL Awards will include cash prizes and a celebratory meal for winners and their guests
Each Ceremony will honor educators from K-5, Middle School and High School
How do I know if I am a REEL Teacher?
Each Center and/or the FCEE will be reaching out to individuals with invitations to attend if they are a finalist
Events are invite only, but all winners can expect to bring a plus one
What if my local Center isn’t participating/I don’t have a Center/ I wasn’t chosen by my Center this year… am I excluded?
Not necessarily! Two of our BIGGEST awards are open to ALL teachers statewide! We will still be looking for our Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year and our FCEE Program Advisor of the Year recognizing their outstanding participation and proven success utilizing the various programs the FCEE provides. See details below.
